A few decisions in life are more personal than others, selecting the right firearm to carry is probably right there at the top of the list.

While selecting one that meets your needs and suits you as a person, you’ll find that not all guns are made equal.

There are some that have been proven to be reliable and durable. Here, we’ll help guide you in the right direction.

Inherently you’ll find that all pistols are perfect but it’s that niche which sets them apart. Some pistols are big and visible while some are easy to carry and hide.

A number of people prefer concealed carry pistols since they don’t want to make it obvious that they’re carrying a weapon.

In fact, concealed carry weapons are quite in demand but picking one can be quite a challenge.

What Makes the Best Concealed Carry Pistol?

The term ‘best-concealed carry pistol’ is largely relative and to an extent depends on the user. However, some of the things to look out for include:

Comfort

Conceal carry is all about comfort. If you are uncomfortable while carrying a certain pistol or are uncomfortable with the holster, you need to take another look at your concealed carry setup.

Not being comfortable with your weapon and holster will make it obvious that you’re hiding something.

The holster plays a very important role in this regard. We suggest that you pick a weapon that goes well with a good and soft holster.

Size

As obvious as it sounds, some guns sold as concealed carry pistol are not easily concealable. For instance, a full-sized Glock 17 cannot be carried as a concealed carry pistol due to its bulky form factor.

Preferably, your concealed carry pistol should be compact enough to hide under your clothes but large enough to give you a good grip.

To ensure a proper concealed carry setup, choose your clothing according to your firearm, not the other way around.

Plus, some weapons may be more suitable when worn in a specific way. We suggest that you pick a product that is easy and comfortable to carry and get your hands on.

Reliability

What good is a concealed carry pistol if it does not work seamlessly when you need it to? Reliability of any firearm is by far the most important factor to consider while investing in one, especially when it comes to concealed carry pistols.

It is common for some pistols to get stuck which kills the purpose of having a gun, especially when you are in an emergency situation.

This happens because when it comes to concealed carry guns, manufacturers usually focus more on the form factor as compared to the working of the pistol. Thus, the best concealed carry pistol is reliable and works flawlessly in times of need.

Grip

Amateurs often go for extremely small guns since they are easy to conceal, however, small firearms don’t provide a good grip and will mess with the precision of your shot.

Hence, to make sure you have the best-concealed carry pistol, you need to check whether the gun sits properly in your hand or not.

This largely depends on the user since people with larger hands will require a larger pistol for a proper grip.

We have covered some of the best concealed carry weapons in this review. Make sure to go through ’em all and pick one according to your requirements. The gun should be safe and easy to use, affordable, durable, and easily concealable.

To help you in this regard, we have picked the five best concealed carry pistols for a defensive prepper. Let’s have a look.

Top 5 Best Concealed Carry Pistols for Defensive Prepper

#5 – Smith & Wesson M&P Bodygaurd Revolver

Revolvers tend to be more robust and reliable; they do hold less ammo but will always work when you want them to. You can trust the S&W brand over any in the market; they perfected the art of making the right revolvers years ago.

We choose the Bodygaurd mostly for its weight, size and affordability.

You can look into getting any of the J-Frame smith models, but you are likely to find better holsters for the Bodygaurd as it is quite popular.

One thing you might want to keep in perspective is that it may not be your perfect primary gun, but it’s a great back up choice.

Pros:

• Stainless steel cylinder and barrel make it durable
• The trigger pull is smooth and the design is ergonomic
• Laser controls make it fun and safe to use

Cons:

• Does not look very good
• Limited ammo capacity

#4 – The Sig Saur P365:

We don’t doubt the ability of the Sig to perform when needed, for one Sig has time and again proven that it is one of the best pistol producers out there. Secondly, the finish and machining on the P365 are the best among non-custom pistols.

Out on the range, you’ll that shooting anywhere from hundreds up to a thousand rounds without a single miss is child’s play for the P365.

All in all a solid bet, ammo capacity is at par as well. Omaha Outdoors offers the SIG P365 for sale online

Pros:

• Parts and kits are easily available
• Comes with incredible XRAY3 Day/Night sights
• Semi auto action and strike trigger system make it safe to use

Cons:

• Tend to get heavy due to their large calibers.

#3 – H&K VP9SK:

Previous H&K models were known to be bulky but the VP9 series corrects those issues. Add to that the ability to hold plenty of ammo, and you have a solid choice.

We weren’t able to find comparable models with similar features in the same caliber, but if you want a little more firepower you can always upgrade to the standard VP9.

You will also find a model in .04, but they’ll be a bit larger and heavier and might not be the best for concealed carry.

Pros:

• Looks very good
• The construction is durable
• Quite light for a 9mm pistol

Cons:

• Can take a while to learn to use it

#2 – Smith & Wesson M&P Shield:

Although the entire M&P series has been pretty successful, the Shield has been a top choice for many firearm enthusiasts out there.

This is the smallest combat ready pistol on the market today and surpasses every other in functionality and accuracy. With the right holster, it will literally disappear even in summer clothing and can be carried along in a purse or pocket making it great for any situation.

It is available in .40 and .45 other than the 9MM, but those will carry less ammo but with more firepower.

With the higher powered calibers there is also less accuracy and slower follow up shots. Some might also consider having to maintain and keep it lubricated a drawback, but we have demonstrated it has so many other strengths that make up for it.

Pros:

• The company’s unique sear deactivation and take-down level systems let you disassemble the gun without having to pull the trigger
• The stainless steel chassis makes it durable
• Consistent and short trigger pull

Cons:

• Can be difficult to maintain as it requires regular lubrication

#1 – Glock 19:

Glock is small yet offers amazing ammo capacity.

A key feature of the Glock 19 is, of course, its reliability. This is why it’s preferred by the military and law enforcement agencies the world over.

When it comes to accuracy on the range you’ll find it excels there as well, shoot all the rounds you want – it just keeps going.

Other than the 9mm option, you can look into other similar sized Glock pistols as well. If you want to go smaller there is the Glock 26.

We have, however, seen a sharp decline in accuracy and an increase in machine problems in anything smaller than the G26.

We have a post on the best Glock 19 holsters if this is your tool.

Pros:

• Safe action makes it safe to use
• You can choose from different magazine capacities
• The trigger distance is only 2.87 inch

Cons:

• Can be a bit heavy with a loaded magazine – about 850 grams – and 600 grams without it

Conclusion

These are five of the best options amongst many in the concealed carry and SHTF range. We think they are all great, but make sure to pick one according to your needs.

We have also covered complete reviews on our site that will help you know more about these weapons and make it easier for you to pick the right one.

Don’t forget, your gun will need the proper ammo to serve you, and a way for you to safely store it for security and longevity of life.

It is very important that you pick a gun that you are comfortable using. Also, do not use a gun until you know how to. Weapons can be tricky so get the training that you need and be safe.  For training facilities with qualified instructors, check our tactical training locator resource.